Teaching Lab ELA (K-2) Report
2020-2021 Report
Background
In SY20-21, Teaching Lab administered online diagnostic and follow-up surveys of educators participating in Teaching Lab’s professional learning in order to measure growth and improvement in three different areas: 1) Educator Mindsets and Beliefs, 2) School Environment, and 3) Content and Pedagogical Content Knowledge. There were 182 educators who completed the diagnostic survey, 49 educators who completed the follow-up survey, and 2 educators who completed both.
Summary of Results
Methodology and Presentation of Results
We have provided two types of results for each section: The results in the first three columns of the table refer to the overall group averages. We provide the group average for the diagnostic and follow-up surveys as well as the percentage point change (increase or decrease) over this time. It is important to note that the group that completed the diagnostic survey and the group that completed the follow-up survey are different in size. The results in the fourth column reflect the percentage of educators who improved their responses or sustained the highest level response from the diagnostic to follow-up survey. This group of educators is the same for both surveys and is smaller in size.
Section 1: Mindsets and Beliefs
Educators were asked a series of questions about their mindsets toward instruction and students on a 5-point Likert scale from 1- Strongly disagree to 5- Strongly agree. The questions focused on four core constructs surrounding mindsets and beliefs, specifically the recognition of race and culture, growth mindsets, high expectations, and taking accountability for equitable instruction.
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The plot illustrates educators’ average scores from the diagnostic and follow-up surveys, which corresponds to the information in the first three columns of the table. Orange represents the diagnostic scores, and blue represents the follow-up scores. The arrows represent the directionality, showing an increase or decrease in the average scores.
Section 2: School Environment
Educators were asked about their school environment, including culture and climate on a 5-point Likert scale from 1- Strongly disagree to 5- Strongly agree. Specifically, educators were asked about trust and connectedness to other educators, their role in shaping their own professional learning, and confidence in implementing the curriculum in a way that maximizes positive impact for student learning.
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| Educators’ Perceptions of School Culture and Climate, by Survey Administration, by Survey Administration | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of Educators with Positive Perceptions of School Culture and Climate | ||||
| Overall score | 71% | 68% | -3 | 75% |
| Trust in fellow teachers | 86% | 85% | -1 | 100% |
| Connectedness to fellow teachers | 82% | 79% | -3 | 100% |
| Have influence over professional learning | 39% | 32% | -7 | 0% |
| I am confident that I am implementing the curriculum in a way that maximizes positive impact for student learning | 76% | 74% | -2 | 100% |
| n = 142 | n = 47 | n = 2 | ||
The plot illustrates the shifts in educators’ reported culture and climate, which corresponds to the information in the first three columns of the table. Orange represents the percentage of educators with positive perceptions in the diagnostic survey, and blue represents the percentage in the follow-up survey. The arrows represent the directionality, showing an increase or decrease in the percent of educators who agreed or strongly agreed with the items.
Section 3: Content and Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Educators were asked a series of questions about their knowledge of instructional shifts and evidence-based instructional practices in their content area.
Section 3a: ELA Content and Pedagogical Content Knowledge
In ELA, the questions focused on seven core constructs, as shown in the table.
| Educators’ Average Scores on ELA Content and Pedagogical Content Knowledge, by Survey Administration | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Scores of Educators with ELA Content & Pedagogical Content Knowledge | ||||
| Overall score | 57% | 61% | 5 | 70% |
| ELA instructional shifts | 47% | 50% | 3 | 30% |
| Fluency | 52% | 48% | -4 | 40% |
| Text complexity | 56% | 68% | 12 | 80% |
| Close reading | 66% | 70% | 4 | 90% |
| Building knowledge | 50% | 51% | 2 | 100% |
| Supporting students with unfinished learning | 67% | 76% | 9 | 100% |
| n = 182 | n = 48 | n = 2 | ||
The plot illustrates the shift in educators’ average scores for ELA content and pedagogical content knowledge, which corresponds to the information in the first three columns of the table. Orange represents the diagnostic scores, and blue represents the follow-up scores. The arrows represent the directionality, showing an increase or decrease of average scores.
Section 4: Teacher Observations by Administrators
Coaches, leaders, and/or administrators were asked about the areas they focus on when observing teachers in general and also whether they observe differences in teaching practices between teachers who have participated in Teaching Lab professional learning and teachers who have not.
First, coaches, leaders, and/or administrators were asked whether they focus on the following areas when observing teachers: The lesson is focused on a high-quality text or task. The questions and tasks address the analytical thinking required by the grade-level standards. All students have opportunities to engage in the work of the lesson.
| Observation Practices of Coaches, Leaders, and Administrators, by Survey Administration, by Survey Administration | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of Coaches, Leaders, and Administrators who Agreed or Strongly Agreed | ||||
| When observing teachers, I focus on… | 85% | 50% | -35 | NA |
| Whether the lesson is focused on a high-quality text or task | 83% | 50% | -33 | NA |
| Whether the questions and tasks address the analytical thinking required by the grade-level standards | 83% | 50% | -33 | NA |
| Whether all students have opportunities to engage in the work of the lesson | 88% | 50% | -38 | NA |
| n = 40 | n = 2 | n = 0 | ||
The plot illustrates the shifts in coaches, leaders, and/or administrators’ reported observation practices, which corresponds to the information in the first three columns of the table. Orange represents the percentage who always or almost always focus on these aspects in the diagnostic survey, and blue represents the percentage in the follow-up survey. The arrows represent the directionality, showing an increase or decrease in the percent of educators who always or almost always focus on these aspects.
Coaches, leaders, and/or administrators were also asked to compare teaching practices between Teaching Lab participants and non-Teaching Lab participants in the follow-up survey. They were asked about the same three areas above.
| Differences in Teaching Practices between Teaching Lab Participants and Non-participants, as Reported by Coaches, Leaders, and Administrators | ||
|---|---|---|
| TL Teachers1 | Non-TL Teachers1 | |
| The lesson is focused on a high-quality text or task | 100% | 50% |
| The questions and tasks address the analytical thinking required by the grade-level standards | 100% | 50% |
| All students have opportunities to engage in the work of the lesson | 100% | 50% |
|
1
n = 2
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The graph illustrates the differences in teaching practices between teachers who have participated in Teaching Lab professional learning and teachers who have not, as reported by the coaches, leaders, and/or administrators.
Section 5: Lab Leaders
Lab Leaders were asked about their engagement in different activities, such as leading professional learning, leading PLC meetings, coaching teachers, sharing information and resources, and improving their own instructional practices.
| % of Lab Leaders who engaged in the activity1 | |
|---|---|
| Improve my own instructional practice | 26% |
| Share information or resources with teachers | 22% |
| Lead PLC meetings for teachers | 19% |
| Coach teachers | 19% |
| Lead professional learning for teachers | 11% |
| We haven't had a lot of opportunity to share out yet. | 4% |
|
1
n = 7
|
|
The graph below illustrates the Lab Leaders participation in different activities.
Section 6: Student Work
Student work has been analyzed to see if there was a difference in outcomes following the implementation of professional learning. The following figures illustrate that difference.
Section 7: Participant Feedback
Looking at participant feedback from All Partners we see good scores across the board:
| Teaching Lab Performance on Participant Feedback Questions for All Partners | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How Likely Are You To Apply This Learning To Your Practice In The Next 4-6 Weeks? | I felt a sense of community with the other participants in this course even though we were meeting virtually. | This course helped me navigate remote and/or hybrid learning during COVID-19. | % Who Say Activities Of Today's Session Were Well-Designed To Help Me Learn | S/He Effectively Built A Community Of Learners |
| 89% | 90% | 67% | 68% | 91% |
Participant Feedback from Legacy Early College
| Teaching Lab Performance on Participant Feedback Questions for Legacy Early College | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How Likely Are You To Apply This Learning To Your Practice In The Next 4-6 Weeks? | I felt a sense of community with the other participants in this course even though we were meeting virtually. | This course helped me navigate remote and/or hybrid learning during COVID-19. | % Who Say Activities Of Today's Session Were Well-Designed To Help Me Learn | S/He Effectively Built A Community Of Learners |
| 83% | 84% | 69% | NA | 89% |
Participant Feedback from Evangeline Parish, LA
| Teaching Lab Performance on Participant Feedback Questions for All Partners | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How Likely Are You To Apply This Learning To Your Practice In The Next 4-6 Weeks? | I felt a sense of community with the other participants in this course even though we were meeting virtually. | This course helped me navigate remote and/or hybrid learning during COVID-19. | % Who Say Activities Of Today's Session Were Well-Designed To Help Me Learn | S/He Effectively Built A Community Of Learners |
| 82% | 78% | 59% | NA | 92% |
Finally, looking at the textual feedback from participants we also see a lot of positive feedback, even when people are giving tips for improvement
Comments on Improving Experience
| Quotes from "What could have improved your experience?" |
|---|
More people to actually participate instead of just login |
Perhaps, it would have been helpful to receive specific |
A little more collaboration in the morning session would |
If I would have had more time to get small groups |
Would have liked to have the documents for POP ahead of |
more breakout rooms by school site (these were SO |
Is there a way to put the documents we use into a folder or |
How do I get a copy of the Nearpod slides, so I can go back |
Better access to the materials at home. It seemed we had to |
More time to develop these activities listed above. |
Additional Comments
| Quotes from "Do you have additional comments?" |
|---|
I hope to participate in this type of course again because |
I was glad I took the course, I thought they could have used |
Thanks for everything you did to prepare this today. |
In general, I don't think I fully understood the inquiry |
As an admin, I find that the requirements were overwhelming |
I hope we can get an additional follow up training in the |
Having the main facilitator delivering the lessons and |
The facilitators were very generous with their (over)time |
Thank you for all your hard work putting these sessions |
Good to communicate with experienced teachers of guidebooks |
NPS
The overall nps for ELA (K-2) content in 2020-2021 was 45.62.
info@teachinglab.org
Comments on what Went Well
Considering that this course was done online, I was able
to follow the facilitators and have discussions with my
colleagues.
Everything went well. Thank you for the opportunity.
Discussions in the zoom meetings were very helpful.
This course was great with Justin. I really liked how we
went into small groups and actually explored the materials
with useful tools such as the planning box.
I appreciate the conversations and planning time with my
team and with others. It allows me to continue to push my
thinking.
There was plenty of time for the activities, and the topics
were relevant.
The new design and content of Guidebooks 9-12 was presented
effectively.
Learning that writing is still a key concept that needs more
in depth attention and instruction.
Looking at the overview of the modules and then each
component specifically
Lots of good ideas came from other grade level students.